Q: Why is Apple trying to charge my credit card and not my gift card

Hello Aemclm07,

Thanks for posting here in the communites. I understand that you are trying to download music with a gift card balance, but are unable. Is your iTunes credit balance displaying? This article will help show you how to check that:

See your iTunes credit balance

That article states "After you redeem iTunes Gift Cards or iTunes Gifts, your updated balance appears in your iTunes Store account. Each time you purchase content, iTunes deducts funds from the credit until it's depleted." If you see your credit balance from the gift card, this means the credit card prompt is only for verification. There needs to be a valid payment method attached to the iTunes Store and App Store when making purchases.

If this is not the case, or you do not see the credit balance from the gift card, try redeeming the card again using the steps found here:

Redeem iTunes Gift Cards and codes

If you need more help, please reach out to iTunes Support for further assistance using the following link:

Contact iTunes Support

Hope this provides a positive solution.